US woman grieving sick mother receives flowers from police officer who pulled her over

A US woman visiting her sick mother in a hospice has been surprised by the kindness of a police officer who sent her flowers, just hours after pulling her over.

While visiting her mother with her husband in Somerville, Massachusetts, Robin Sutherland received the delivery of a bouquet of flowers, sent in sympathy of her mother whose health was worsening.

The card accompanying the flowers was signed from "The officer who pulled you over this morning".

"I was in shock, not understanding how a police officer, after interacting with me for two minutes, would go out of their way on their own money and their own time to be so nice," Ms Sutherland told TODAY.com.

Ms Sutherland had been pulled over earlier that day for going 10 miles (16km) over the speed limit.

While the police woman, Officer Ashley Catatao, checked Ms Sutherland’s driving history, Ms Sutherland broke down into tears in her car, overwhelmed by the emotion of handling her mother's condition.

In the last 12 months Ms Sutherland has also lost her father, her mother-in-law and her aunt.

"You just don’t expect that, but that was the first quiet moment I had to think about it.

"I just let the emotion overcome me and tears were running down my face."

The officer walked back to Ms Sutherland's car to issue her with a warning, but stopped when she realised she was crying.

"When she told me the story it hit me emotionally. I had to keep it together because I was working," Ms Catatao said.

"It hit me that one day it could be me saying goodbye to my mother, or my son saying goodbye to me."

"I couldn't imagine the pain she was feeling. I just felt like I wanted to do something to make her smile and tell her that this stranger does care about you."

So Ms Catatao ordered a large bouquet of flowers to be delivered to Ms Sutherland's home in a purple vase.

They were delivered with a note which read, "I'm very sorry to hear about your mother. I hope you find comfort in knowing she loved a long life and will continue to live in your heart and in your memories."

"It was really a thoughtful thing and just took me by surprise," Ms Sutherland said.

"Despite the fact that waves of sadness come over me, seeing the bouquet on Wednesday and then bringing it to my mum yesterday morning, it was just really helpful.